Enjoyable if lacking in courage

Rating: 7/10 (25 March 2007)

I saw this film last night and really enjoyed it on two levels, but was ultimately slightly disappointed that the film makers didn't have the guts to go with their vision a bit more.
On the entertainment side, the action parts of the film were well done. Criticising an action film for being unbelievable is pretty pointless, as I can't think of any action film that is realistic, when it comes to the consequences of all those deaths and explosions on a city's streets! As an action thriller, it moved quickly, the protagonists were sympathetic, the villains were humanly evil and self-interested and the set-ups well thought out and entertaining. From that point of view, I just found the ending (and the sudden turn around of the Bounty Hunter from pursuer to saviour) irritating and far too corny a plot turn.
On the second level, I thought the premise of the film was really interesting and unusual...yes, it is in many ways a copy of the Logan's Run idea, but with some modern and relevant twists. I also thought this world was well imagined and peopled, though some of the dialogue was a bit clunky.
My regret, ironically, as I enjoyed the action, is that the film makers didn't have enough faith in that vision, to explore it more thoroughly in a more low key, narrative mode. In order to entertain the audience, they had to go for the action hybrid, where the scenario they have put so much effort into painting, just becomes the backdrop for another (well made, but predictable) action film.
I guess it just points up the differences between audiences 40 add years ago and today (Logan's Run was a 60's film?). Whereas the earlier film was more interested in telling the story, the modern one only uses it to support another genre.
On a final note, I thought MacGregor (in particular) and Johansenn were both fine in their roles (as were the other main actors) so I don't really get all of the critical bashing of their casting.